155 Vietnamese arrested for human trafficking and online fraud in Laos

Hoang Bich Ngoc, 30, a native of northern Hai Phong City, along with 154 men and women, are now under arrest as police investigate them for activities related to human trafficking and fraudulent appropriation of assets, police announced Wednesday.

According to the investigation, late last year, Ngoc went to Laos to join a human trafficking and online fraud organization in Bokeo Province.

Ngoc then recruited hundreds of Vietnamese, paying them salary ranging from VND18-30 million (US$700-1,200) per month to lure and entice other Vietnamese to illegally enter Laos.

Once the victims arrived in Laos, Ngoc’s group handed them over to foreign criminal organizations, where they were forced to go online and make calls to people in Vietnam, finding ways to trick people into playing games online or deposit money into apps at the purpose of stealing their money.

The individuals in the network also created fake Facebook accounts, impersonating as successful businessmen, often posting photos of luxury travel and services to connect with wealthy single women.

Once they gained trust from such women, they lured them into investing in hotel businesses on virtual apps, promising high profits and commissions, and then appropriated the money the victims had invested.

Many victims of the scam are from Ha Tinh, with some filing reports to the police.

Upon receiving complaints, Ha Tinh police launched an investigation and collaborated with Laos police to expand the investigation.

On Aug. 2, authorities from Laos and Vietnam raided the group’s workplace in Bokeo.

After a four-hour siege, the joint forces arrested 154 people, seizing 100 passports, tens of thousands of foreign currencies, and many tools used to commit fraud.

After learning that her accomplices had been arrested, Ngoc immediately fled to Vietnam, but was apprehended upon arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi that same day.

The case is under further investigation.